Basses

Fender Japan’s $150k Deck O’ Cards Stratocaster collection is Custom Shop artistry at its finest

May 5, 2025

Fender Japan has done it once again. The brand’s latest Deck O’ Cards Collection transforms a deck of classic playing cards into four one-of-a-kind Stratocasters, each built by a different master builder and inspired by one of the four suits: Hearts, Spades, Diamonds, and Clubs.
For this ambitious Custom Shop project, Fender Japan enlisted Senior Masterbuilder Paul Weller alongside up-and-coming builders David Brown, Austin MacNutt, and Andy Hicks. Each was tasked with reimagining a suit, collaborating with renowned artist Pamelina H. to create a custom guitar that’s equal parts fine art and high-performance instrument.

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“We had a hunch that it would be a great ‘introduction’ project for the four of us to work on,” says Weller. “Each of us chose a design we liked and collaborated with Pamelina on the design, resulting in an unprecedented collection.”
Credit: Fender Japan
While the visuals are striking, the guitars are still grounded in familiar Custom Shop specs: two-piece alder bodies, 1957 style V-shaped one-piece maple necks, 6-point vintage-style synchronised tremolos with bent steel saddles, and hand-wound Josefina Campos 1969 pickups. A urethane finish with WLS undercoat maintains the beauty of the artwork while enhancing playability.
What truly sets the Deck O’ Cards collection apart, though, is its design. Each model is painted in bold red, black, and white hues, with unique artwork that runs from the front of the body to the back of the neck and headstock — blending classic playing card visuals with precise, handcrafted detailing.
Credit: Fender Japan
“The artwork, with its vibrant red and black against the white base color, and the paint on the neck make each guitar a true custom guitar,” says Weller.
Each masterbuilder brought their own flair to the series: Brown took on the Hearts Strat, Hicks handled Clubs, MacNutt worked on Diamonds, and Weller completed the lineup with Spades.
Credit: Fender Japan
“The most difficult step was to hammer in the frets after painting, but this was the best way to get the best finish,” Brown notes. “We paid close attention to the fitting of the other parts to ensure that the whole guitar was in harmony.”
MacNutt adds, “The guitar itself is very playable, and the 1957 style soft ‘V’ neck is very easy to hold and provides a comfortable playing feel.”
Credit: Fender Japan
Each guitar also comes with a special hardshell case, a genuine leather strap crafted specifically for the collection, and an official Custom Shop certificate.
For what are essentially functional works of art built to be played, the guitars in the Deck O’ Cards collection command an equally jaw-dropping price tag — ¥22,000,000 JPY or approximately $152,500 a piece.
The collection is currently on display and available for purchase at Fender Flagship Tokyo.
Learn more at Fender Japan.
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